RNA Interference in Fungal Plant Pathogens: What Do We Know from Botrytis cinerea with Research Hotspots and Gaps, and What Are the Future Directions?
Guy Smagghe
Abstract
RNA interference (RNAi) has emerged as a promising tool for controlling fungal plant pathogens, offering a targeted and environmentally friendly alternative to traditional chemical fungicides. Botrytis cinerea, the causative agent of gray mold disease, serves as a model and plant pathogen for investigating RNAi-based strategies due to its wide host range and economic impact. This review synthesizes current knowledge on RNAi mechanisms in B. cinerea, and that several factors influence the efficacy of RNAi in B. cinerea, including the stability and uptake of double-stranded RNAs (dsRNAs), the efficiency of RNA processing machinery, and environmental conditions. Furthermore, RNAi responses can vary significantly across strains, developmental stages, and infection modes, underscoring the complexity of fungal responses. With this review, I also aim to present the field trials reported so far, underscoring the practicality of RNAi. This review identifies current hotspots and outlines future directions for deploying RNAi as a sustainable control strategy against fungal pathogens.